(Fri., Mar. 11, 2011)---The City and County of Honolulu immediately activated its Emergency Operations Center after the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued its first bulletin.City first responders and Emergency Management Reserve Corps volunteers were deployed before the first siren sounded at 10:55 p.m.

Although the tsunami did not cause widespread destruction on Oahu, the event was not a false alarm.Mayor Peter Carlisle said we are very fortunate.

“Our residents and visitors reacted admirably,” said Mayor Carlisle.“They understood the dangers of a tsunami and evacuated our shorelines.On behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, I want to thank everyone for taking this threat seriously.”

The City’s emergency coordinators from each agency worked alongside representatives from the American Red Cross, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, and The Gas Company.

Throughout the tsunami event, the City maintained constant communications with the State and the other counties.This allowed the City to monitor the threat and receive immediate updates from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.Their valuable information resulted in a successful evacuation of residents from harm’s way.

City non-disaster response or relief employees were placed on administrative leave today to minimize traffic and keep roads open for emergency vehicles.City services will return to normal hours and operations as soon as possible.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our close friends in Japan and to those who have lost loved ones in the Honshu earthquake,” said Mayor Carlisle.